Amazon isn’t the only entity interested in drones. Google wants a slice of the drone delivery pie. Those two, and other companies, team up with NASA to create a drone air traffic control system.
Amazon’s drone vice-president Gur Kinchi revealed his company’s vision at a NASA conference. This conference took place two days ago at the Ames Research Center at Mountain View, CA. It’s highly doubted you’ll see drone delivery services in the months to come. But the conversation is already starting. Rules and regulations must be in place well before drones can deliver packages. Such a system is being dubbed Unmanned Aerial System Traffic Management. Other companies helping NASA’s movement including Verizon Communication and Harris Corporation. Kinchi believes a drone traffic control system is the only way to keep drones from hitting each other, other air traffic, and other human beings. In fact, recreation drones have already caused injuries among people. Back in February, the FAA revealed strict laws revealing drone use. If passed, commercial drones could only fly during the day and within the drone operator’s sight. Drones would be forbidden within five miles of airports. Drones are to remain under 400 feet to avoid crashing with other air traffic. Long range drones must tell where they’re going. And all drone vehicles must have some communication skills to avoid disaster.
And this is a good start from the FAA. ?Gur Kinchi and the rest are right. We need a system to maintain some kind of order if drone delivery service is even going to be possible. Think of the mass destruction that will take place if Amazon and everyone else start delivering package drones tomorrow. It would be the equivalent of allowing toddlers to drive cars and fly airplanes. I don’t care how long it takes. But a drone traffic system needs to be in place before one drone delivery is complete. What do you think the drone movement?